His Special Gift

Part Six: Forgiveness Through Innocence

Chi-Chi watched the sun set with a heavy sigh. This day was very difficult for her. It was for Gohan too, but he was handling it better than his mother. Three-month-old Goten was oblivious to everything. He was in his crib sleeping. Chi-Chi left her son sleeping and collapsed on her bed and cried.

It was a year ago today that Goku had died. Chi-Chi had hope that Goku would change his mind about staying dead and called her or Gohan telepathically and tell them to ask Shenron to take them to Namek so they could ask Porunga to bring him back.

But he didn't. With the setting sun, she knew he wasn't going to do it. He was going to stay dead. Gohan opened the door and saw his Mom crying. Gohan walked in and sat by his Mom.

"It's okay, Mom. I miss Daddy, too, but he wouldn't want us to cry over his death now. He'd want us to be happy."

Chi-Chi rolled over and sniffed. "I had hoped your father would change his mind and come home. I've finally realized he's not coming back."

"We'll be okay. It's not that bad without him now. We have Goten."

Chi-Chi smiled and laughed. "He's so much like your father you wouldn't believe. He's always smiling even in his sleep." Chi-Chi sat back and laugh. "I can imagine your father now. He's probably running around in Other World trying to get into everything probably fighting someone. Whatever he's doing, he's happy and having a good time."

Chi-Chi looked at her son with pride. "Thank you, Gohan. You're really growing up." She hugged him. "I'm so proud of you and your father would be too."

The sound of crying was heard from the crib. Chi-Chi laughed. "Motherhood calls."

"I can check on Goten, Mom."

Chi-Chi waved a no thanks. "No, I want to hold him. I need to hold him now."

Gohan watch his mom picked him up. In less than a minute, she had changed his diaper and tickling him, making Goten laugh. Ever since his mother discovered she was pregnant, she did a complete 180 from before. His mother was happier now and it was all because of Goten. Goten's affects didn't stop with his mother. Gohan was affected too. Because of Goten, he was able to confess to his mother the secret he had been holding. Goten was loveable, too. The baby was always happy, especially when he was fed. The house seem to have life again because of Goten and Gohan was grateful of that not only for him but for his mother.

Thanks for leaving him, Dad.

****

Chi-Chi awakened to the sound of Goten crying. She got out of her bed and walked to the crib. She picked him up and he continued to cry, waving his small arms in the air. She felt his bottom and knew his diaper needed to be changed. Chi-Chi brought Goten to the changing table where she quickly disposed of his old diaper with a new one. She sat in the rocking chair and started to breastfeed him.

He was almost six months now and looking more like his father everyday. Chi-Chi hummed a soft melody to him. "You love to eat, don't you? You are Goku's child."

Chi-Chi stared at him. It amazed her at how much he looked like his father. There were times like this she would get angry with Goku. She hadn't forgiven him for leaving her pregnant or what everyone thought of as Goku's Noble Decision. She thought it was ridiculous to stay away because he felt he was threatening the Earth by being on the planet. She looked down at Goten. He was so sweet and innocent. He didn't have a clue as to what his father did. Chi-Chi melted at the innocence of his eyes. They reminded her so much of Goku.

"I will do anything for you, you know that," Chi-Chi told Goten. "I'll protect you from any harm." She looked at his small hand and it amazed her that it fit around her index finger. She thought about the last night she had with Goku, the night their child was conceived.

"Did he have you in mind when he died?" Chi-Chi asked.

Goten just blinked and concentrated on getting his milk. When he had enough, Chi-Chi stopped breastfeeding Goten and put him over her back to help him burp. Once he did, she looked at him. Goten looked back at his mother with wide, curious eyes.

"So you and Gohan got all the training you will need for Cell?" Chi-Chi asked Goku.

They were in bed. Chi-Chi was lying on her stomach. Her head was resting on her folded arms and Goku was lying on his back. His hands were behind his head. Goku and Gohan had returned that day from the Hyperbolic Time Chamber. "For the Cell Games? Yeah."

"I hate all this fighting. It's like someone is deliberately trying to take you from me. You don't know how scared I get when you and Gohan go off fighting. It's bad enough I can't stop you from fighting, but I wish you wouldn't let Gohan fight. He's just a little boy."

"Chi-Chi," Goku said rolling on his side to look at her. "You know we have to fight."

Chi-Chi didn't respond to that. It looked as if she had given up on that topic. Instead, she said, "What do you think about when you fight?"

Goku laid on his back again with his hands behind his head. "The thrill of the fight, the challenge, but I also think about you, Gohan and everyone I'm protecting."

A smile curved Chi-Chi's face. "You think about me? Really?"

"Yeah, you guys are the reason I push on when the chips are down. When I was fighting Frieza, I had a dream that he came to Earth and killed you, Gohan and everyone else. I was so angry with what was to come if I had failed that I what was left of my energy to attack Frieza. It wasn't enough, but that was the last major attack I used before the Spirit Bomb and I turned into a Super Saiyan for the first time."

"Wow. I didn't know."

"Didn't know what?" Goku asked.

"I knew that you loved me. I, um, I don't know. I guess I didn't realize how deep your feelings for me were."

Goku's face soften. "Chi-Chi, you know I care for you a lot. I wouldn't have anything if it weren't for you." He took her hand and pulled her on top of him. "I love you. I used to fight just for my pure joy, to just challenge myself. I still fight like that, but now that I have a family, I have a reason to fight. Fighting for you and Gohan gives me another reason to fight. It makes me dig deeper. It makes me a better fighter. You know I'll die for your safety." He saw tears coming out of Chi-Chi's eyes. He wiped them away. "Don't be sad."

"If you die, I don't know what I'd do," Chi-Chi cried.

"Chi-Chi, you're strong. I don't plan on dying. I'm just telling you how much you mean to me."

Chi-Chi sniffed. "I know. It's just that I'd do the same thing for you and Gohan."

Goku smiled. "I know, Chi-Chi," He pulled her close and pressed his lips to hers. "I know."

Chi-Chi looked down at Goten. "Maybe I've been going about it all wrong. I was upset with your father for leaving me. I told myself I wouldn't forgive him, but looking at you, how innocent you are, I'm beginning to see how wrong I was. He wasn't being selfish in death. He was trying to protect me and you…all of us."

Chi-Chi raised Goten above her. The little boy giggled. "I've been so wrong about your father." She showered the boy with kisses, causing Goten to laugh some more. "He knew he was going to die and he left me with you to remember him by." She hugged the baby boy, not wanting to ever let him go. "I will never think ill of your father again. I was wrong. I've been so wrong for the past year. I forgive…in fact I'm honored with what he did and you will know soon of what your father sacrificed, too. I'm going to tell you how great your father was. You will know he loves you and I'm going to tell you all the crazy adventures your father has been through. This is a new beginning for both of us, Goten."

****

Chi-Chi walked with the 17-month-old outside their house. Gohan was studying in his room and mother and son were taking a walk by the river outside their home.

"Fishy," Goten said pointing at the fishes in the water.

Chi-Chi looked in. "Yes, the fishes live in the water. Gohan caught some for us yesterday and we're going to have it for dinner tonight."

Goten looked up and smile. "I like fish."

"Yes, I know you do," Chi-Chi laughed. 'Just like my Goku,' Chi-Chi thought proudly.

The two walked by a row of flowers that were growing in the garden. Goten reached down and plucked a flower from the ground. He raised it to his mother. "Here, Mommy!"

"Thank you, Goten," Chi-Chi said taking the flower from him.

"Hi, Chi-Chi!"

Chi-Chi looked up in the sky and saw Krillin coming in for a landing.

Goten looked up and waved. "K'illin." Chi-Chi laughed. Every time he saw Krillin, he would call him K'illin.

Krillin landed and ruffled Goten's hair. "It's amazing at how much he looks like Goku."

"Yeah, he's like his twin in a way. So, what brings you here?" Chi-Chi asked.

"I came to see how you and your boys are doing. You know, see if you needed help with anything."

Chi-Chi smiled. Krillin was a thoughtful one. Truly, he was Goku's best friend. "We're doing fine. Gohan's studying and Goten and I were taking a walk. I'm glad you came, Krillin. I need to say something to you."

"Like what, Chi-Chi?"

Chi-Chi looked down at Goten and wondered how she could say this with Goten around. "Come on, Goten," Chi-Chi said picking up her youngest son. "I'm going to let you play in your pen while I talk with Krillin. Come with us."

Krillin followed Chi-Chi in the house. He wondered what was on Chi-Chi's mind. Chi-Chi sat Goten in his playpen in the living room and she and Krillin talked in the kitchen. "I want to apologize for my behavior with you when Goku died. I know you didn't let him die. You and everyone else, except for Vegeta would've done anything to save him. I've come to accept the reason Goku died and I've understand his need to fight and why he chose to stay dead."

Wow. Krillin didn't know what to expect Chi-Chi to say, but it wasn't that. He smiled. "You don't need to apologize. I understand and I think everyone else did too. You lost Goku. I don't blame you for being angry. I was angry with myself, too. He was my best friend and I just let him go to Cell and die."

"Momma!" Chi-Chi walked over to Goten. He raised an empty bottle to him. Chi-Chi smiled and went back to the kitchen to fix her son a bottle of milk.

"But he did leave me a special gift. I don't know how I'd be if Goten wasn't here." She fixed the bottle and gave it to her son, he eagerly took it.

Chi-Chi looked at Krillin who was looking down at Goten. "So, what's going on with you? Have you been dating anyone?"

Krillin blushed and rubbed the back of his head nervously. "Well, heh, heh, I have been dating someone."


"She's not another Marron, is she?"

Krillin put his hands up and shook it. "No, she's not. She's um, smart and tough, tall, too."

"Tough? She can fight?" She took the empty bottle from Goten and handed him a toy to play with.

"Uh, yeah," Krillin said nervously.

"You really like her?" Chi-Chi guessed especially by the way Krillin was turning red.

"Yeah."

Chi-Chi walked into the kitchen to clean the bottle. "Does she like you, too?"

"Well, yeah, but um, she doesn't like displaying her feelings in public."

"Why don't you invite her over for dinner one night?" Chi-Chi suggested.

Krillin panicked. If Chi-Chi knew that the woman he was talking about was Android 18, the same Android that was out to kill her husband, who knows how she would react. She was nice to him now but if Chi-Chi discovered the truth, Chi-Chi would go ballistic.

"Uh, I don't know about that. She, uh, that is, that might not be a good idea."

"Why not?" Chi-Chi asked with her back to him. She turned to look at him and saw he looked as if he was hiding something. "What is it, Krillin? Why wouldn't we get along?" Krillin rubbed a hand over his mouth and said something. "What, Krillin? Kami, you make it sound as if this woman was an enemy."

Krillin didn't say anything.

Chi-Chi's eyes widen. "She is an enemy?"

Krillin looked down. "Yes."

"Who is she?"

Krillin figured he might as well tell her. Everyone was gonna find out eventually. "Android 18." He saw the shocked look on her face. "She's not bad anymore. She's changed. She's a good person now."

Chi-Chi just stared at him in disbelief. Gohan came in the room. "Hey, Krillin, what are you doing here?"

Krillin looked at the young man, happy for a distraction. "I just came to see how you guys are doing?"

"And to tell us he's dating Android 18," Chi-Chi said.

Gohan looked surprised. "You're dating her? Wow, so you won her over? How do you date an Android?"

"None of your business!" Krillin yelled and then clamped his hand over his mouth. He was already blushing with them knowing he had a girlfriend, now Gohan was questioning him about it.

Chi-Chi sighed. "Oh, boy. Why am I surprised about this after everything I've been through?" Chi-Chi threw her hands up as if giving up. "Well, if she's not as bad anymore, then you can still invite her over for dinner. I wonder how Goku would've reacted to this. Does everyone else know?"

Krillin rubbed the back of his head. "No."

Chi-Chi thought for a moment and then smiled. "I know. How about we have the others for dinner next week and everyone can meet Android 18?"

"Are you nuts?! Krillin shouted. "18 kicked everyone's butt! If they see her, they would want to kill her!"

"If she's not bad anymore, they wouldn't do that. Besides, I'm sure Android 18, can hold her own," Chi-Chi explained.

Krillin just stared with his mouth gaping at Chi-Chi. 'That sounds like something Goku would say. No wonder he and Chi-Chi got along.' "Uh, I guess it would be okay. I have to talk to 18 about it. Boy, I hope this doesn't turn into World War III."

****

"Tell me again why I'm here?" Piccolo asked.

Gohan and Piccolo were standing outside. Yamcha, Bulma, and Trunks were already there. Vegeta didn't come because he didn't want to associate with them and he wanted to train. Tien and Chiaotsu were also training in the mountains. Trunks and Goten were playing together in a playpen. Bulma was watching the boys play and Yamcha was helping Chi-Chi out at the grill. Most of the food was done and everyone was waiting on Krillin and 18.

"Well, we're here to meet Krillin's girlfriend."

"You've invited me here to meet 18?" Piccolo asked and turned as if he was going to fly away. "That's it. I'm going back to the Lookout."

"Wait, Piccolo. You knew?"

"So, what if I did? It's no importance to me. I'm going back to the Lookout. There's no reason for me to stay. Your mother apologized to me and Yamcha for her behavior when Goku died, which is a shock to me and I don't eat or drink anything other than water, so I'm going home."

And with that Piccolo took off into the sky. Gohan watched him go away and shrugged his shoulders. He walked over to his Mom who was talking with Yamcha and helping her out. He had taken another slab of ribs off the grill for Chi-Chi and she was now putting on the hot dogs and hamburgers.

"Are the food almost ready, Mom?" Gohan asked.

"Yeah. Yamcha has been a big help. He's been speeding up the cooking of the food with his ki blast. Krillin and his girlfriend should be showing up soon."

"Hey, I see someone in the sky! I think it's Krillin!" Bulma yelled.

Everyone looked up. Yamcha's eyes became wide as saucers. "That's Android 18 with Krillin!" He got in front of Chi-Chi protectively. "Don't worry, Chi-Chi, I'll protect you from her."

"What?" Chi-Chi said and stepped away. "Don't be silly. That's Krillin's girlfriend."

"His girlfriend?!" Yamcha and Bulma yelled shocked.

Goten and Trunks stuck their heads out the playpen to see Krillin and Yamcha land. Yamcha looked defensive while Bulma looked shocked and stepped back.

Krillin stood besides 18 and smiled nervously. "Guys, meet my girlfriend."

Yamcha and Bulma just stood there not being able to move. 18 looked extremely uncomfortable and was ready to bolt. Chi-Chi removed her apron and picked Goten up from the playpen and they with Gohan walked to Krillin and 18.

18 saw Chi-Chi and her family approaching her. Krillin had already told 18 about her and 18's feelings were mixed. Chi-Chi invited her, but she was also Goku's wife--the man she was trying to kill. She didn't feel comfortable approaching the wife of the man she tried to kill.

Chi-Chi approached them keeping a smile on her face. As a princess, she was trained to be on good behavior and living with Goku, she learned to give people another chance. She had followed that advice with Piccolo when he was training with her husband and son for the Androids. "Hello. I'm Son Chi-Chi, Goku's wife. These are my sons, Gohan and Goten."

"Hello," 18 said coolly.

"Hi!" Goten said with a big smile on his face.

18 looked at Goten and noticed how cheerful and innocent Goten looked and couldn't help but crack a smile at his cheerful face.

"Most of the food are ready. Why don't you come get a plate?" Chi-Chi said, leading her to the table where most of the food were.

Yamcha and Bulma slowly warmed up and talked to 18. Most of 18's answers were one or two words. Of all of them, Chi-Chi was the nicest. Strange, 18 thought, how nice Chi-Chi was and she knows 18 tried to kill her husband.

"So, what do you think of them?" Krillin asked as they stood by the river in front of Goku and Chi-Chi's house.

"They're nice…once they get rid of the shock of me being an Android."

"Aw, don't worry. They'll warm up to you."

"Like I care," 18 aid dryly looking away. "Goku's wife, Chi-Chi was nice. I didn't expect that."

"Yeah, I think that has to do with him dying and having this last kid, but then again, Chi-Chi was a nice person when you ignore how angry she can get it when it comes to interfering with Gohan's studies."

18 looked back at the group. Trunks and Goten were running around with Gohan, Bulma was on her cell phone and Chi-Chi was cleaning and putting things away with Yamcha's help.

"That Yamcha guy. Does he like Goku's wife?"

"How did you know that?" Krillin asked stunned she knew.

"Anyone could see it but Goku's wife and his kids. You should tell him to back off."

"Why do I have to do it?"

"Because you said you were Goku's best friend and isn't that something a best friend should do?" 18 asked back.

Krillin bit his lip. "I guess. It's always me left doing the dirty work."

To Be Continued

Part Seven: Chi-Chi…Moving On?

Moon girl: Thanks. I actually think Goku took peeks of his family when he was dead. King Kai was there so Goku could've watched over his family anytime he wanted.

GD: Has it? No, I don't think Y/CC have a chance. Ah, 'Sounds of Pleasure' was funny and light-hearted, nothing to be taken seriously like the stuff I've been writing lately. Hee. Hee. This story has ten chapters, so there are four more to go.

Brios201: Thanks!

CB: Yes, I think there is a bonding though as far as I can remember, I can't recall it actual being said. Everyone has there own version by how bonding is made like biting the mate and I used to do that too, but I've change my mind and came up with my own version that through the love they have for each other a bond is made. Yeah, when Chi-Chi got hurt, Goku immediately sense it. His first expression was like "Huh" when he was in the water and then when he rose out of the water it was like he knew she was hurt and he was looking very upset. Oh, yeah, Chi-Chi taught him a lot and I don't think many DBZ fans, I know the Chi-Chi haters don't give her credit for what she's done for Goku. I think I mentioned this before but Goku was completely ignorant when he married Chi-Chi. He basically did what was told of him. Living with Chi-Chi he learned personal hygiene, common sense and learn to be a little bit persuasive. From watching dragon ball and then dragon ball Z you see how much Goku has changed. I think there was a little segment in the Namek Saga where Goku is training and he fixes his food and washes up, etc. He learned that from Chi-Chi. Hee. Hee. About Piccolo, Goku told him that Chi-Chi means well. I love that episode. I never laughed so much. I still don't get why Piccolo did it. I'm like, "Piccolo, she's not your wife. You don't have to do it." Actually, I have been thinking about doing another "New Adventure story" but it's a and probably more realistic different way on how they fell in love and what happened in those five years and it's PG-13.

Lady Athena: Yeah, now I have to deal with this Yamcha thing. It will be sorted out in the next chapter. Vegeta knows a strong woman when he sees and knows to give credit when it's due. Heh. Heh.

Gogirl: What else? I have to deal with the Yamcha issue, Krillin marrying 18, and I have to bring in Baba again and then it ends with Goku coming back.

Rini: Yamcha is a goof in this story, but still respectful when it all comes out. Thanks for the review.

GOGI: Somewhat. I'll talk about Gohan some and Chi-Chi's observations of him as he grows from a boy to a young man.